Winch, Micheal Anthony

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417081 Inspection date 06/03/2012 Inspector Patricia Webb

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives with his wife and their teenage child in Stirchley, Telford. The childminder works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding along with upstairs bathroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. There are shops and a park within walking distance. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range at any one time. When working with the co-minder together they may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years, six of whom may in the early years age range at any one time. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make strong progress in their development and learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has embraced his roles and responsibilities very effectively. He is diligent in the organisation, planning a wide and varied programme of activities and opportunities for every child to develop skills for the future and reach their full potential. The childminder has started to consider the impact of the practice on children's outcomes. He is keen to improve further by embedding the practice and extending the provision for inclusive practice.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the evaluation system as a reflective process to build on key strengths and prioritise areas for further development, ensuring that the quality of child's learning, development and care continues to improve  explore a range of strategies for developing future partnerships with other providers and professionals who may be involved in a child's early years development, care and learning to promote a complementary approach and ensure consistency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust as the childminder has a firm understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. All of the necessary procedures are in place for sharing any concerns with the relevant authorities and parents are assured of the childminder's commitment to acting in a child's best interests at all times. All adults in the household have undergone rigorous checks, vetting and emergency cover arrangements are in place. Robust risk assessments are undertaken by the childminder for activities on and off the premises and a raft of parental consents are discussed and recorded at the start of each child's placement, further assuring children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses diary sheets for exchanging information with parents informally and shares the learning journeys that demonstrate children's progress regularly. Parents do not currently contribute to these records formally although the childminder does discuss children's progress and values parents' verbal input. Parents express their appreciation and great satisfaction with the childminder's practise in the form of questionnaires and comments that are used to evaluate the practice. Some comments include 'I was worried about using a childminder for first time, but as soon as I met (childminder) I was put at rest, it's like my child has a new family'. There is a very strong commitment to acknowledging and respecting each child's background and culture.

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the early years provision

Working closely with parents the childminder ensures that children are gaining a realistic and meaningful insight into celebrating differences. Activities such as, food tasting and enjoying listening to different genres of music help children to become aware of differences in society. The childminder has a particular interest in working with children with special educational needs and /or disabilities. In preparation for such a placement, he has attended relevant training and supports his co-minder in developing additional strategies. For example, visual timetables are displayed explaining the routine for all children and their families. Additional posters explain some non-verbal sign language systems. Such practice ensures that all children can benefit from effective communication in an inclusive way, particularly children with developing language skills. The childminder has not explored ways of developing effective partnerships with other providers or professionals who may

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the early years provision

become involved in an individual child's care, development and learning. He is however very keen to address this aspect, being aware of the benefits of working in a cohesive way to offer consistent approaches for the children as and when necessary. Working with his co-minder, he is developing the process of self- evaluation and aware of how identifying key strengths in practice can contribute to children making further progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder contributes to the observation and assessment records with his co-minder. He is extremely enthusiastic with regard to the value of undertaking meaningful observations on each child, relishing the progress that he can see individual children making. Clear reference is made to the Every Child Matters agenda, ensuring that all areas of development and learning are enjoyed by the children.

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and outcomes for children

Crawling along the hallway, the childminder engages in active play with the children. Gales of laughter ensue as the childminder plays 'peepo' and 'Boo' with the children who giggle and run to the co-minder. Further enjoyment is hand when the childminder feigns being asleep and the children run to 'wake' him. The whole atmosphere is very family-orientated and this enables each child to feel very secure and settled in their activity. They join in with gusto, as the childminder sings their favourite rhymes and engages them in finger rhymes that promote their co-ordination and manipulative skills. They participate in recycling activities, as they become aware of caring for their environment. Planting and gardening activities give them a sense of responsibility although their last crop was not particularly successful. Role play and the development of their imagination is fostered. They make imaginary cups of tea for visitors and share 'rice and peas'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder became aware of just how children observe and replicate what they seen when a child demonstrated mum's ability to use a telephone tucked on her shoulder whilst cooking the dinner. Using a child's home experiences, the childminder plans activities that build on children's interests. Musical activities are offered to link in with meaningful experiences of children attending church. They become aware of different languages and some older children refer to the posters depicting sign language to develop their skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is positively promoted and the childminder ensures that praise is offered appropriately to encourage children to want to achieve and demonstrate care and consideration for others. Their health and well-being are positively promoted as they follow clear and consistent routines for their personal care. They use individual flannels and wet wipes to gain an understanding of the importance of hand washing. They enjoy the social time during meals and snacks, chatting with the childminders and tucking in to healthy snacks and meals, some of which are supplied by the parents as they wish. Any specific dietary requirements or preferences are discussed with parents to ensure that children's needs are fully met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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